Royals add Samad Taylor, Richard Lovelady to roster
They also designate Sebastian Rivero for assignment
The Royals announced they have added infielder Samad Taylor and pitcher Richard Lovelady to the 40-man roster and have designated catcher Sebastian Rivero for assignment. They also officially activated infielder Adalberto Mondesi and pitchers Angel Zerpa and Jake Brentz from the 60-day Injured List.
Taylor was acquired from the Blue Jays at the trade deadline for Whit Merrifield, but missed the last two months of the season with injury. The 24-year-old hit .258/.337/.426 with 9 home runs and 23 steals in 70 games for Triple-A Buffalo and has been playing in the Arizona Fall League. He brings speed and positional versatility as a second baseman and outfielder and should challenge for a roster spot next spring.
Lovelady missed most of the 2022 season after Tommy John surgery, but threw a few innings in the minors towards the end of the season. The 27-year-old left-hander has a 5.62 ERA and 4.37 FIP with 40 strikeouts in 40 2⁄3 innings over parts of three seasons with the Royals. He had exemplary numbers in the minors with a 2.44 ERA in 110 2⁄3 innings for Omaha with a fastball that sits at 93 mph.
Rivero hit .167/.236/.197 in 73 plate appearances in parts of two seasons with the Royals. The 23-year-old seemed to be a capable defender, but his bat never really developed. The Venezuela native hit .218/.294/.410 with five home runs in 42 games for Double-A Northwest Arkansas this year.
The Royals currently have a full 40-man roster and have until November 15 to add players to protect them from the Rule 5 draft. Pitchers Alec Marsh and TJ Sikkema are among the players likely to be added. They also have until November 18 to decide whether to tender or non-tender players like Adalberto Mondesi and Ryan O’Hearn.